The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-06-01
JAMES AND ELIZA BLAKE.
An Outline of Their Life-Work and q
Tribute to Their Memories.
Communicated

founders of Indianapolis, died in the old
homestead at the rlpe age OF eighty years,
and DOW, in the same room, his beloved
and estimable wife passes quietly to her
rest, within few days of eighty-one years
of age. The quaint old homestead, one of
old time landmarks of early Indianapolis
has remarkable and eventful history, and
If its walls could speak and portray the
scenes that SINGS 1880 have been presented
within its walls, the pictures of the groups
! and the conversations and incidents, it
would make a large, interesting, instruc-
tive and valuable book. James Blake came
to the village Of indianapolis in 1920, then
in the dense forest. He then rode on
horseback to st. Louis, and on his return
determined to make this city his lifetime
home. Starting with its infancy as the
new capitol, he soon became one of its
great forces and one of its early leaders.
He was the first candidate of the Demo-
cratic party for County Sheriff, aad was
beaten by Harvey Bates. He was for twelve
years chairman of the Democratic State
Central Committee, and remained jealous
and working Democrat until the disruption
produced by the Kansas Nebraska free soil
agitation, when he, Albert G. Porter and
many others left their party and Joined
the Republicans. He aided in founding
the nTsJ Sonday-school, at which all the
scholars in town attended. He hel Jed ~
apolis Benevolent Society for twenty
years, during which tius his house vas
benevolent headquarters for inquir es and
aid, and his wife, Eliza Blake, was an
active manager, snd no one went away
without aid and assistance During q
long series OF years the old home
stead opened its doors to members
of the Legislature. as we'll as to
travelling ministers, friends and acquaint-
ances, and during conventions, either re-
ligious or political, was often filed to over
flowing but none were turned away. The
wonderful hospitality of the old home
stead, and the vigilance and accomplished
attentions of Eliza Blake were never sur
passed in any home OF the world. The
poor and the rich were treated alike. From
the time this well-mated couple entered
this home, on the corner of North and Ten
nessee Streets family worship was as regu-
lar morning and evening Is the sun itself
in its rising and setting. No business or in
cident of any kind could delay or defer; its
observance was absolute. The acquaintance
of James Blake with all the leading men
of the State, and his connection with its
early legislation, gave him many offers of
public Office, but he refused.
He was one of the commissioners and To-
Gated and built the Insane Asylum. He
was sole commissioner to select place for
the first State-house, and he, Ray aud Nc.
Carly were the contractors who built it.
During the war he took very active part,
and as a member Of Governor Morton's
staff received and provided for the enter
tainment of all the retiring Indiana regi-
ments on their muster out. He opened
the first wholesale dry goods store and
built the railroad rolling mill. McCarty,
Ray 81 Blake built the first steam grist mill.
Mr.. Blake was active in helping to origin
ate and build all the railways and made
very liberal subscriptions and donations
He gave the Lafayette railroad $4,000
worth of real estate. In the midst of all
this business, he never forgot. nor did his
wife, Eliza Blake, the Sunday services, the
prayer meetings and Sunday-school
connected with the church. He sub
scribed $1,000 to erect the Third
Presbyterian Church, which he, Judge
Newcomb. Todd, Scudder, Bowen and
others founded.
The Pennsylvania wagon bow. leaving
his mountain roads aud lines of C0nestoga
teams. took the trusting hand of the
gifted and accomplished only daughter of
a Baltimore merchant, and together they
marched forward to the backwoods-t0 the
New Purchase-to build home, a charac-
ter, a family, fortune, in the dense wilds
of Indiana. They both had honesty and
sincerity. They both loved their fellow
man, whether rich or poor. They both had
large, liberal hearts and strong affections.
In nearly half century in all the viciSsi-
tudes of fortune, in sunshine and in storm,
they were always the same. God was their
trust. Faith was a vestal fire. Doing good
to all whom they could reach was the aim
of life and although dark clouds often
came in various forms from different di-
rections, with cyclonic force, they both
stood together firm and unmoved, and
grew stronger and purer from the effort and
the trial.
The young men who came in con-
tact with them were pointed TO the right
road, and many who are now living ia sue
cessful life remember the golden words OF
honest advice. This bread, SO often over
and over cast upon the waters, Is found
after many days. There the North street
old homestead stands to-day, embosomed
in its grateful shade, festooned with
clambering vines, surrounded with the
perfumes of rare and besutiful flowers.
Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren,, Lewis
Cas-, Henry Ward Beecher, John B. Cough,
Edward Everett, Stephen A. Douglass,
judges Blackford, Dewey and Sullivan
with hundreds of other talented and great
men who spent happy hours in brilliant
conversations within these walls, in
reception parties and private interviews
all have passed to that bourne from whence
no traveller returns. And now both the
guests and the host and hostess are to be
seen on earth no more. Their suns nave
all set. The stars have all gone down, but
the perfume of good life dies not Quit
lives forever and forever. On Tuesday next
the remains of Eliza Blake will be taken
to Crown Hill and deposited on that beau
tiiul mound selected by her husband in
that grand cemetery he done so much to
found, enlarge and aid in decorating.
There will she rest alongside OF those she
lived for and loved so well. Well may we
exclaim, with the gifted Topper
80 Death, what art thou, strange and solemn
alchemist,
Elaboratipg LIES elixir from these clsyey cruel
bles?"
May the soma who remain to make their
battle in life, as their parents did before
them, read and re-read the lesson OF their
lives, and may all young men and women
see that'the path of honesty, purity and
duty is the path that leads to success, hap
piness, fame and immortal life. SIS
Indianapolis, May %.